Banned driver gets caught behind the wheel but avoids jail — because he went for a Pot Noodle

George Barnes, 25, was stopped by cops for a fourth time for driving his VW Golf while banned on September 23 near his home in Burnley, Lancs.

He was charged and hauled before magistrates in the town, but walked free after telling the court he only got into his car to get his ill father a Pot Noodle because he was hungry.

Defending, Mark Williams, said: “The reason for the driving is so unimportant, it’s almost unbelievable. His father said he was very hungry and wanted a Pot Noodle.

“That’s why he went out. Whether that makes it better or worse I’m not sure, but that’s the reason why.”

JPs in Burnley not only spared Barnes but also praised his devotion to his dad.

Passing a suspended sentence, Bench chairman Graham Jagger said: “It’s not an easy thing to do, dealing with something like that and it can mean doing, unfortunately, what you did. However, it doesn’t mitigate completely for the fact this is your fourth offence of a similar type.”

Barnes admitted driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance. He was given eight weeks in prison, suspended for a 12 months and was banned for 18 months.

He must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

In August he was banned from driving for a year and handed a 12-week nighttime curfew after committing the same offence.

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